I had always known in my heart that I loved Aragorn, it is said that Mirkwood elves can only truly love the once, and that love will last forever. As I grew I could see examples of this all around me from my parents, before my mother faded, to my friends and my siblings, everyone seemed to find true love, everyone but me. I remember the first time I thought that I was close, I was visiting Rivendale for the first time in over one hundred years. The sun shone brightly on our party as we were led through the grand forest, the large stone gateway towered above us as we entered into the city itself, as was customary with royal visits Lord Elrond and his sons were there to great us, the twins had fully matured and stood proud images of their father, they smiled warmly when our eyes met. There was a time when the three of us were young that we were inseparable. Lord Elrond greeted us with a warmth that I knew father did not deserve, whilst at home he could barely hide his contempt of the compassionate elf, the only reason that we were in Rivendale at all was to ask for their help. A week pasted amiably enough I took every opportunity to spend time with the twins, we would hunt and practise our archery, then one morning a messenger arrived with ill news. My eldest brother, the crown prince, had been injured in a skirmish with orcs and father had no other thought but to return to him as quickly as possible. He left me there to continue negotiations with Lord Elrond on his behalf.
"I am sorry to hear about your brother." Lord Elrond said as I entered the grand hall. I bowed respectfully to him, knowing that I was out of my depth. "Please be seated."
"It is not the first time something like this has happened, the orcs grow bolder with every passing day."
"Yes so I hear, and I do believe that in his own way your father was trying to ask for our help."
"That he was." I replied with a slight smile.
"Although I have to admit I do not think that I will be able to offer much assistance."
"Oh?" was all I was able to reply, his frankness shocked me.
"We all have our own battles to fight Legolas, you may not believe it but even here a shadow grows."
"I understand." I stood unable to hear his petty excuses any more, maybe my father had been right about him all along, didn't he realise that without his aid Mirkwood could fall into darkness taking with her all who dwelled within her reach.
"I am truly sorry."
"What?" suddenly I was angrier than I can ever remember being, was this the end of my home. I span round to face him. "I am sure that as our people lie dieing your sympathy will be a great comfort."
"You think that I want this to happen?" He stood facing me, "When the cry of your dieing forest hurts me even now, when I can see the pain etched so clearly on your face."
"Well what I am supposed to think when you seem unable to grasp the severity of our plight, but then my father has always taught me to be wary of those who appear altruistic. There is no such thing." I turned to leave, the fight ebbing away.
"Wait," he caught my arm, "the words you speak are true."
Bemused I faced him. "I do not understand my Lord."
"I have shamed myself greatly and ask your forgiveness." He lowered his head slightly.
"There is nothing to forgive, you are entitled to act on your opinions as am I."
"I will help you fair prince."
'fair prince' did I really hear him right, he thinks me fair? My confusion must of shone through.
"You are beautiful Legolas, surely you realise this?"
"I am nothing special, but that is neither here nor there, are you going to help us or not?"
"I will, I did not mean to offend you with talk about your beauty."
"I…" he saw my face flush and stopped my speech.
"Have you never been told?" Slowly he raised a hand to my face and gently stroked it. "My father," I began lowering my gaze from his, "tells me that looks are not important, and then he laughs and says that it is just as well."
"I did not realise that he could be so cruel to his own flesh and blood, but surely you have had lovers?" I nodded, "then they must of told you constantly how wonderful you are."
"Poisonous whispers my father called it, trying to gain my favour with pretty words because I am a prince." There was silence for a moment as Lord Elrond absorbed this.
"You believe this?" he asked at last. I nodded quietly. "Then take it from me, I am not someone trying to gain your favour, you are beautiful to me."
"Thank you my Lord." I turned to leave, and felt a hand upon my shoulder, I turned to face him and suddenly he was standing so close, love shinning in his eyes.
We kissed that day and I saw in him a love I had longed for, desperately sought for so long. We quickly became lovers and I stayed in Rivendale for months, believing that I had found my one true love. But a summons from my father shattered that and suddenly I realised that my search had barely begun, although I always believe that he loved me.
